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If I Work in the Trades, Do I Need a Degree?

One great reason to choose a career in the trades is because you don’t need to spend four long years and tens of thousands of dollars to prepare. In some cases, like HVAC and Welding, you can train for your career in less than a year and attain a certificate that affirms your skills and knowledge.

What to look for in your training:

Any program you choose needs to teach you the fundamentals of the trade you hope to enter and give you opportunities to practice what you learn. At Charter College, our HVAC/R program combines online instruction with hands-on training in the installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC and refrigeration systems. We teach you about the systems you’ll work on and the issues you might encounter. We introduce you to EPA guidelines, Clean Air Act rules and regulations, manufacturer recommendations, and good trade practices. We also help you prepare for the EPA refrigerant handling certification test. Most importantly, we give you plenty of opportunity to hone your skills in our labs.

You could complete the Charter College Welding Certificate program in as little as 10 months. We’ll teach you the skills you need to find entry level welding work in such fields as pipe-fitting, fabrication, construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Our Blended Learning program combines on-campus, hands-on learning with online studies. You’ll learn a lot about the field online, but then when you are on campus, you’ll get hands-on experience cutting, welding, and fitting. Our instructors are professionals from the field, ready to share their expertise and answer any of your questions. They’ll also provide insight as to what you could encounter in a real world setting.

The benefit of a degree:

So you don’t need a degree to work in the trades, but if you hope to advance in your career, an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Applied Technology, could enhance your skillset. At Charter College, we’ll teach you about the business behind the trade. You’ll learn about project management, customer service, business ethics, and the technologies that are indispensable to modern business.

Do you want a long-term career in the trades? Start with the technical skills you need, and then consider taking your training up a notch with an Associate’s Degree. At Charter College, we can help you with both. Get started here to find out how.